I studied in modern times

Chapter 719 Han Jiang Retires
In the following days, Li Erhu began to frequently go to Anjie and Mingyi quarters outside Nanxunmen, looking for a suitable location for a workshop.

At the same time, he also gathered a group of craftsmen in the city and began to reverse-engineer the "Taimu Car" sent by Tian Qi.

Each part was disassembled and then measured and recorded with an ink fountain and a tape measure.

Wooden parts, manufactured directly on site.

Iron and copper parts are technically difficult to make, so we need to find some skilled craftsmen.

However, in a commercial city like Bianjing, as long as the money is paid, there is no one that cannot be hired.

During this process, every time Li Erhu passed by Daxiangguo Temple, he would pay attention to Shaozhuyuan and Sunjia BBQ.

Not only him, most of the Bianjing city was paying attention to this gossip.

Everyone wants to see which old big temple or royal temple with connections is more powerful?

Or is it the rising nobility, the most extravagant man in the capital who is more powerful?
Unfortunately, for more than ten days, neither the Daxiangguo Temple nor the Sunjiazheng store looked like anything had happened.

The business of Shaozhuyuan in Daxiangguo Temple continued as usual.

Sun Ci's Sun Family BBQ business quickly spread throughout the city of Bianjing. In just half a month, more than a dozen branches were opened.

There were no incidents such as setting fire to shops, idlers causing disturbances, or even martial monks and heroes fighting each other in the downtown area of ​​Beijing.

Everything seemed so light and peaceful, yet so creepy!

However, Sun Ci's barbecue restaurant became famous after this incident.

Then, because the texture and taste of the roasted and grilled meat it sold were slightly better than those of Shao Zhuyuan, but the price was fifty coins per catty cheaper, and because Sun Ci opened the store quickly.

Therefore, it quickly attracted many diners and the business gradually prospered.

Li Erhu was filled with envy.

This is called business!

Without government exploitation and outsiders coveting your business, you can certainly become rich by simply focusing on your business.

Unfortunately, there is only one Sun Ci in the capital.

There is even only one Sun Ci in the whole world.

A small fry like him can't even protect his parents, wife and children.

You can only be controlled by others and become their pawns.

……

Zhao Xu looked at the report from the Investigation Department and couldn't help shaking his head: "The guilds in Bianjing City, one or two of them, are all very audacious!"

"What a pity... in the end, they only knew how to push a small businessman with no background or backing to the front!"

But, if they really come forward to do this themselves.

Then Zhao Xu will definitely change his rhetoric!

If things go wrong, an imperial decree will be issued immediately to order Cai Jing to eliminate him!

This is what is called the butt determines the head.

"I know everything!" Zhao Xu put down the report in his hand and looked at Shi Deyi who was standing in the quiet room: "Send someone to find out the details and background of this merchant named Li Erhu, and then report back to me."

"Yes!" Shi Deyi accepted the order respectfully, then said goodbye and left.

After seeing Shi Deyi off, Liu Weijian appeared in front of Zhao Xu.

"Everyone, I'm ready..." he said softly.

"Yes!" Zhao Xu nodded: "The Left Prime Minister, Duke Kangguo, is determined to resign and retire. I have tried to persuade him to stay several times, but Duke Kangguo is determined to leave..."

As he said this, Zhao Xu felt somewhat sad.

Han Jiang was the first prime minister he appointed after he ascended the throne.

At the same time, he is also an old minister with whom he has a good understanding.

Now, Han Jiang is about to leave office.

Zhao Xu was somewhat reluctant to let go.

"Tomorrow, I will trouble the old commander to read the imperial edict on behalf of Duke Kangguo at his residence!" Zhao Xu asked, "Tell Duke Kangguo a message for me - I will remember your loyalty and diligence!
"promise!"

……

In the second year of Yuanyou, the first month, Yimao (twenty-sixth day).

In the residence of the Left Prime Minister, Duke Kangguo, Han Jiang, the sound of drums and music was played.

Liu Weijian read out the decree written by Fan Chunren in his unique voice with ups and downs.

"Your Highness: I am the successor of Emperor Xuan, and I am in charge of the imperial map. I am still unclear about the path ahead, and I don't know where to go..."

"You are a famous minister who has assisted in the administration of four dynasties. Your contributions have benefited the people and your name will be remembered by the world..."

"Heaven has blessed me with a long life, and I will prosper. I have worked tirelessly to assist me in my great affairs..."

"Retire from the court, and retire to be kind to the customs! Leave and come with courtesy, which is difficult in ancient and modern times. It is appropriate to promote high aspirations and appoint you to positions!"

"The Minister of the Left, the Minister of the Imperial Household, the Director of the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Civil Service, the Co-Director of the Public Affairs of Low-Interest Loans for the People, the Silver and Green Guanglu Doctor, the Upper Pillar of the State, the Duke of Kangguo Han Jiang, the fief of 18,400 households, the actual fief of 6,200 households..."

There seemed to be a slight pause, and Liu Weijian's voice suddenly became a few degrees higher.

"He is filial and loyal, both civil and military... The people look at him and his presence, the border guards are awed by his prestige... He has served four dynasties, and he has always been loyal... What a joke! His voice is not far away, and there are still relatives who come to ask about him! Wait with a stick, and look forward to accompanying him in the worship! Don't ignore the difference between advancement and retreat, and give him advice and praise, so that he can live a long and healthy life!"

"Yes, you are granted the title of Inspecting Taiwei, Minister of Civil Affairs, and Grand Secretary of the Imperial Court. You are allowed to retire, and be granted a few sticks. You are also allowed to serve as the governor of Guangde Army and the governor of the internal affairs. You are ranked among the elders and are respected in the capital as a teacher."

This means that they wanted to retain Han Jiang in the capital, treating him as a veteran like Wen Yanbo, and making him an advisor to the prime minister of the capital.

Han Jiang listened to Liu Weijian reading the imperial edict. After bowing four times, he stood up and faced the Funing Palace with his hands clasped: "This old minister kowtows to thank God for His grace!"

Han Jiang immediately took out the letter of resignation and thanks that he had written long ago from his arms and solemnly handed it to Liu Weijian.

"Please ask the guard to pass it to His Majesty on my behalf!"

"As an old minister, I am leaving with all my heartfelt words."

"Don't worry, Han Situ!" Liu Weijian said, "I will present it to you personally."

……

Liu Weijian returned to the palace, and Zhao Xu was already in the Qingshou Palace, waiting for Liu Weijian's return with the two palaces.

Han Jiang was the first prime minister to retire during the Yuanyou era.

Although he was not the minister entrusted by the late emperor to take care of the young emperor, he was actually doing the work of taking care of the young emperor.

Now that he is about to retire, he naturally has to take it seriously.

Liu Weijian came to the curtain, knelt down and kowtowed, saying: "Please inform the Lord and the two queens that I have returned in compliance with the imperial decree and have come to give my life and present a letter of thanks to the Minister of the Interior and the Duke of Kangguo."

So he respectfully presented Han Jiang's letter of thanks.

Liang Weijian took it and presented it to Zhao Xu.

Accompanied by the two palaces, Zhao Xu opened the cover of the letter of thanks.

Han Jiang's handwriting immediately caught his eye. First, he expressed his gratitude, saying that in the past two years, he had been favored by the emperor and trusted by the two palaces, so he had made some small contributions, and he really did not deserve such praise from the court.

Then the topic changed and began to talk about the world today.

Speaking of the suffering of the people, life was difficult. In the past two years, there had been a severe drought and the invasion of bandits from the west, and the national treasury was empty.

Therefore, under such circumstances, the court should continue the tone of Yuanyou's good governance, reform the labor service law, reduce the burden on the people, reduce taxes and levies, and alleviate the suffering of the people.

At the same time, the court should listen to the opinions of the local governments, communicate extensively with the ministers in the court, and select gentlemen and wise men to assist in government affairs...

These are all old stuff.

It's not uncommon, there are even templates.

Almost all prime ministers said this when they retired.

The only difference is the words used and the direction of explanation.

The most crucial part of Han Jiang's letter of thanks was the ministers he recommended to Zhao Xu and the two palaces.

First of all, he was appointed as the left prime minister and held concurrent posts after taking office.

Han Jiang said that the right prime minister Lu Gongzhu, a veteran minister who had served four dynasties, was loyal, honest and sincere, and would surely be able to assist the emperor and sort out the country.

Therefore, he suggested that Lu Gongzhu take over his position as the left prime minister and be in charge of the labor law review office and the low-interest loan office for the convenience of the people.

When the two palaces saw this, they nodded secretly: "Duke Kangguo is truly a minister of the country."

He and Lu Gongzhu worked together in Dutang and had conflicts.

But now that Han Jiang has left office, he still recommended Lu Gongzhu to take over.

It can be said that one does not avoid enemies when making external recommendations!
Zhao Xu continued to watch, because he knew the best part was yet to come.

Sure enough, Han Jiang began to recommend his people.

The first person he recommended was Kumamoto, the transport commissioner of Jingdong Road.

Han Jiang believed that Kumamoto had the "talent to govern the country". During his administration in Jingdong, he appeased the people, provided relief to scholars and civilians, and recommended talented people.

Such a great talent cannot be kept in other counties.

He should be promoted back to the court to assist the emperor in governing the country.

And Kumamoto has indeed done a good job on JD.com in the past two years.

At least, the mess left by Wu Juhou was basically cleaned up by him.

He also cooperated with Song Yongchen to repair many main official roads, and renovated and dredged the Wuzhang River and Jinshui River.

At the same time, he also strongly supported Su Shi's work.

I heard that the two of them have a good relationship in private and have started to call each other brothers - but it seems that Su Da Huzi has always been unlucky with friends.

For example, Su Shi's good friend Wang Gong, the grandson of the former prime minister Wang Dan, was implicated and demoted to Binzhou in Guangnan West Road to supervise liquor taxes. It was not until Zhao Xu ascended the throne that he was reinstated and returned to Beijing at the request of Wen Yanbo.

Pennsylvania in Guangxi!
This is Lingnan!
Poor Wang Gong, the grandson of the prime minister, a wealthy young man born with a silver spoon in his mouth, was sent to Lingnan to eat lychees.

What’s even more pitiful is that his two sons both fell ill and died after following him south.

For Wang Gong, perhaps the only thing to be thankful for was that this demotion allowed him to find his true confidante in life - Yuwen Rounu.

The phrase "Wherever my heart is at peace is my hometown" that the modern petty bourgeoisie likes to write in their profiles to show off was given by Su Shi to Yuwen Rounu.

So, Kumamoto and Su Shi are now on close terms.

If Su Shi were to fall ill again in the future, Zhao Xu felt that Kumamoto, a sincere man, would probably not be able to bear it.

Because, Su Shi may have a DEBUFF called "Brother, save me".

Looking at his experiences during the Xifeng era, as well as Zhao Xu's previous life during the Shaosheng and Yuanfu years.

Whenever he is in trouble, his close friends will rush to rescue him at all costs.

Then someone followed the clues and caught them all in one fell swoop.

I don’t know if it will be the same this time?
Kumamoto obviously has a good impression in the two palaces.

Therefore, when the two palaces saw this name, they remembered it.

"This Kumamoto is indeed an honest man." The Empress Dowager said: "Even when I was in the palace, I often heard people say that Jingdong Road is now completely new and different."

It is indeed different.

In the past, when Wu Juhou was in power, he exploited the people of JD.com.

But the public security in Jingdong Road has always been good.

Now...

With the opening of the Denglai gold mine, countless heroes, dreaming of getting rich, rushed into the mountains and streams of Denglai.

then……

Various murders occurred one after another.

The Denglai Mountains have swallowed up countless lives.

Fortunately, the heroes only stayed in the mountains. Once they left the mountains, those who found the gold did not dare to stay for a moment. They took the gold directly back to their hometowns, bought land and houses, and lived the life of a rich man.

Every once in a while, the Bian Jing Xin Bao would report on one such lucky person.

The adrenaline of the heroes is constantly stimulated, and heroes from all over the world's counties and cities continuously embark on the journey to Denglai.

As for those who didn't find much gold?

Their traces can be found in construction sites in Hebei, rivers in Huainan, sugarcane fields in Guangxi, and cotton fields in Xihe.

Zhao Xu has always been grateful for this.

These are all good people!
They are all benefactors of the country!
Without them, I really don’t know what to do with so many things!

People who were as grateful as Zhao Xu included the local merchants and wealthy families in Denglai.

Thanks to the heroes!

They can make a fortune right away!

Two or three hundred thousand gold diggers support countless people’s businesses!
Even the first pot of gold that Su Shi earned from his dried fish business was contributed by these heroes!
Zhao Xu thought of this and said with a smile, "Grandmother is right."

"Kumamoto can indeed be promoted to the imperial court, and he can be appointed as the Minister of the Six Ministries first."

"Yes!" The Empress Dowager nodded.

Then she lowered her head and glanced at the other ministers recommended by Han Jiang.

Then, she saw a familiar name.

"Lü Huiqing!" The Empress Dowager couldn't help but lose her voice.

Even Zhao Xu was surprised.

Lu Huiqing, this is Han Jiang’s mortal enemy!
Even lifelong enemies!
He actually recommended Lu Huiqing in his letter of thanks when he retired?

Could it be that Han Jiang's personal moral cultivation is comparable to that of Qi Huangyang?
(End of this chapter)